Unbury the Dead

by Fiona Hardy

Best mates Teddy and Alice are hired hands with flexible moral boundaries. Whatever the mess, they can be relied upon to fix it with no questions asked. But sometimes it's not as simple as cleaning up.

Teddy is searching the suburbs for a missing teenager with her occasional sidekick Art, while Alice's mission is to drive one of Australia's richest men along Victoria's east coast to his final resting place before anybody finds out he's dead. But when a surprise revelation sees their cases collide, Teddy and Alice turn the tables on their wealthy employers to shake out the truth.

Unbury the Dead is a superbly fresh and pacey high-stakes drama with two irresistible heroines.

Genres: Crime, Audiobook, Mystery, Australia, Fiction, Suspense, Book Club

320 pages, Paperback

Published February 25, 2025

About the author

Fiona Hardy is a bookseller (and was in fact shortlisted for ABA Young Bookseller of the Year in 2017). She is a reviewer published in Books+Publishing, The Big Issue, and Readings Monthly, and was a committee member of the Australian Crime Writers Association, which organises the Ned Kelly Awards. Her short fiction has been published in The Big Issue Fiction Edition 2017, Gargouille, and other journals; her short story 'Green Thumbs' won the 2024 Scarlet Stiletto HQ Best Thriller Prize.

Her first book, 'How to Make a Movie in Twelve Days', was longlisted for the ABIA and Indie Book Awards, and was a CBCA Notable Book for 2020. Her second book, 'How to Write the Soundtrack to Your Life', won the 2021 Children's Peace Literature Award.

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best friends Teddy and Alice are hired hands who people call when they need help with various jobs. Teddy is setting out to help find a missing teenager, whilst Alice has the job of transporting the body of a deceased billionaire along Victoria’s east coast.

When their jobs intertwine with each other, lies and secrets will be uncovered, and that's when the story becomes very intriguing, and that's when I found it quite difficult to put this book down. Unbury The Dead by Aussie author Fiona Hardy is a fun and addictive novel and it’s hard to believe it’s her debut crime/mystery novel. Can’t wait to see what she writes next as I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbury the Dead was such a surprise hit for me. I received a copy from Affirm Press and loved the sound of it so I dove right in. This is Fiona Hardys adult crime fiction debut and I loved it. It was fun,it was clever and it was addictive!!

Set in Melbourne, we meet Alice and Teddy, best friends who work together as fixers, cleaners, the people you call when you have a problem. It might all legal, but boy do they enjoy what they do. The pair are split up to work 2 different cases, a missing teenager and transporting a body to be buried without being noticed. How hard could it be.

Turns out, pretty hard. Neither of them are quite prepared for what these cases will bring and the real stories that they will uncover. These women are not to be messed with, and are fiercely protective of those that they care for. It is a wild and at times violent rise and I couldn’t get enough. I hope this is the start of a series because I would love more from Alice and Teddy.

Get your hands on this book now and enjoy the ride.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just couldn’t get into this one.. it looked so good, and had so many great reviews. I know I’m in the minority, but for some reason this just didn’t hit the right notes for me.

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic crime fiction, featuring two memorable heroines, who are hired as 'fixers' or 'cleaners', which leads them into various entertaining scenarios, with many unexpected twists.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big thanks to Affirm Press for sending us a copy to read and review.
You just never know what a person does for a job just by looking at them and the tasks they undertake.
The line that states Teddy and Alice work for a guy with flexible moral boundaries is such an apt description and invites the reader into a sordid tale.
Teddy is in the hunt for a missing teenager and Alice is in charge of escorting the body of an influential man.
Their respective journeys take them all over Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Tensions, deceit and an exposure to an underworld culminate in a thread of twists and turns.
Set in familiar suburbs with an unlikely duo who decide to take on unlikely scenarios.
I am loving this genre and having two strong willed females as the lead was refreshing and entertaining as they made me laugh and place my sleuthing hat on.
Aussie authors are really turning out the goods in the crime suspense arena and I am loving it.
Fiona will be an automatic read in the future.

[Madeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow burn that pays dividends. Solid crime debut

[Gloria (Ms. G's Bookshelf) · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️3.5 Stars⭐️
Unbury the Dead by Fiona Hardy is a fun-filled and entertaining crime/mystery with attitude and a dollop of violence on the side.

This crime debut features two formidable young women, Teddy and Alice who can be hired and relied upon to clean up and fix any mess with no questions asked. The women are morally grey characters and petty criminals.

Teddy’s latest assignment is to search for a missing teenager and Alice is driving one of Australia’s richest in his coffin to his designated resting place before anyone knows he died. I did love the settings of Melbourne and the Victorian countryside.

These women work well together, they make a fabulous duo with great dynamics. A wonderful debut, looking forward to see what’s next for this author.

Publication Day 25 February 2025
Publisher Affirm Press

Thank you to the fabulous team Affirm Press for a copy of the book & matching bookmark.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good crime/mystery novel and this one didn’t disappoint!

The beginning of the book starts off well and it’s steady as we get to know who Alice and Teddy are and what their next job is.

I loved the pace of this book, things ramp up and it becomes very entertaining! So much is going on, there are so many pieces to the puzzle and I was so desperately trying to put it all together but no such luck I was completely thrown.

Alice and Teddy are so awesome, loved their attitude and how they never give up. They have this incredible friendship and work together exceptionally well. I really hope there’s more books with these two again!

Thank you so much @affirmpress for this early copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Tam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the badass female vibe and local feel of this book but about half way through I felt like the plot became convoluted and therefore confusing. It felt too easy to lose track who was who. It all tied up in the end but after a promising start it fell a bit short for me .

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more from Fiona Hardy

[Hermien · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable romp through parts of Australia with many twists and turns.

[Michelle Redfern · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a mad story, but lots of fun to read. I must admit though, I had to go back and reread some sections towards the end because there were so many intertwined characters and interests.
The two central characters Alice and Teddy are very likeable, but I wish I knew more of their backstories. Hopefully there’s another book either the two of them at the centre.

[Emilie (emiliesbookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

For private investigators Alice & Teddy, finding a missing teenage boy should have be a straight forward job. Straight from the get-go things are not adding up. Teddy continues to ask around hoping for one of her contacts to have a lead.

Having many shady contacts, Alice and Teddy are also hired to do jobs no one else wants to do. They are good at their job and clean up messes with no questions asked, but as Alice takes a side gig transporting a billionaire businessman’s dead body in a coffin to his final resting place it becomes apparent there is something else going on

What a great murder mystery debut with a side of suspense! It took me a while to place all the characters, but I really loved Teddy & Alice’s relationship and characters

Loved the local Melbourne suburban settings, really felt like I was with Alice and Darwin in the car on the Eastern Freeway

Looking forward to seeing what’s next for Fiona


Thank you AffirmPress for my gifted arc to review

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have been 4 stars but ending was a bit less than I'd hoped

[Lana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh!
Wanted to like this more but just never got into it 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Reviews.with.Bianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something quietly gripping about Unbury the Dead. Fiona Hardy blends mystery and emotion in a way that feels really grounded and human. It’s not a fast-paced thriller—it’s more of a slow unravel, but that’s what makes it work. The writing is lyrical without being overdone, and the main character’s voice is so authentic. You really feel the weight of grief and guilt as the story unfolds.

What really stole my heart, though, was the amazing dynamic duo of Teddy and Alice—ultimate best friends, do-or-die style. Their bond is fierce, funny, and full of heart, and it brings so much warmth to the darker moments of the story.

It’s also set in Melbourne, Victoria, with a lot of it taking place in the eastern suburbs, which gives it such a familiar, local feel. That sense of place really adds to the story’s atmosphere.

The middle dragged a little for me, but the payoff is worth it. The ending ties things together in a satisfying and thoughtful way. If you’re into character-driven stories with emotional depth, a slightly eerie undertone, and standout friendships, this one’s definitely worth picking up.

Thank you Affirm Press for gifting me this ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

[ALPHAreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

One day I will stop being so ridiculously hyped-for, and proud-of the authors I represent as agent, but .... actually. No. I'll never stop that!

(part of this preamble explainer appeared on my Substack post, FYI)

Gosh, I signed Fiona to the agency in 2016 (the same year I joined, and had to start building my list!) … she had been a 2016 Text Prize shortlistee, and someone had suggested her manuscript (which hadn’t won) could be up my alley. She was correct, and that became Fiona’s middle-grade debut How to Make a Movie in 12 Days . She went on to release two more MG novels, but at the back of our minds (mine, and my colleague Jacinta’s) was the knowledge that Fiona was an incredible bookseller at Readings, with a specialty in reviewing crime-novels. Ah-ha! It was only a matter of time before she broke out in these waters … and WHAT a breakout!

Fiona's publisher has been calling Unbury the Dead; 'Australia's answer to Mr. Inbetween crossed with Mick Herron’s Slow Horses ,'—and that is very accurate (and freakin' COOL!)

I was never surprised to discover Fiona's talent in the adult crime-mystery space because of her aforementioned reviewing at the bookstore, but also because there's been a 'mystery' element at the heart of all her children's books too ... sometimes quite literally via a stolen song (as in How to Write the Soundtrack to Your Life ) or more spiritually; as in trying to keep your true identity and innermost desires a secret from those closest to you ...

I think Fiona does a brilliant job of keeping wheels constantly spinning and turning, and deftly combining seemingly disparate and unrelated cases back to the heroes at the heart of Unbury, Teddy and Alice (and that killer tagline; 'They Messed with the Wrong Women.')

This book feels like a new shot of adrenaline into the Aussie Crime-Lit space and I just know Fiona has more plans up her sleeve for these characters, and more deliciously thrilling crime novels.

[Marles Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice and Teddy best friends who fix things. Alice works as a driver, often with no questions asked. Teddy is more of the investigator. You could describe these two woman as flexibly moral by the type of work they take on. They often work with Art who works for cash, even though his family’s pockets are lines with cash. They work for Choker, who dealt out dastardly jobs for those who need a ‘clean-up’.
This story takes us on the road for each of their assignments: one to drive a well-known Australian to his final resting place (in a coffin in a hearse called Valkyrie), and the other to find a missing teenager (Cole), and the intersection of both of these to jobs. Even though Cole is missing and Dwane is lying within a coffin, they both have a role to play as central silent characters of this story. It is their history, their connections and their actions that shape the present day activities of Alice and Teddy, in more ways than one. Their silence, literally speaks for them.
Driving through the outer suburbs of Melbourne provided an unusual landscape for the morbid journey Alice was undertaking, and the drama was heightened with that white Subaru tailing her at almost every turn. Teddy’s head and heart were constantly torn between tracking down Cole, comprehending why those closest to him were not really concerned for his welfare, and the strain of parenthood and leaving her daughter behind to work on jobs that could potentially stop her from coming home. It is the connection between Alice and teddy that propels them forward on their own private jobs and also in supporting each other.
Enjoy the plot twists, the heated scenes, and the opportunities where two female anti-hero protagonists use all of their skills and knowledge to uncover all the facts I the most unusual crime story I’ve read in a while.

[dib_dab_dyl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love an Aussie summer crime novel, and ‘Unbury the Dead’ arrived with hype. Featured by the likes of Jason Steger on a few end-of-year lists, and a Top 10 bestseller spot at Readings. I was sold with the promise of an urban crime drama set in Melbourne, with comparisons of Teddy & Alice as a kind of Thelma & Louise duo.

But, that was a half-promise. The novel mentioned places that don’t exist (like Warlington, maybe taking place for Warragul?). And the Thelma & Louise comparison felt like a lazy one - made probably because the two main characters are women.

While I was reading it I found myself craving for a book with a sense of place. I kept thinking about a 2008 novel ‘Blood Sunset’, set in St Kilda, which captured the relentlessness of a hot summer and used it to build tension. In ‘Unbury the Dead’, Melbourne felt present only in the sense that the weather was erratic - kind of like the jumping around in the story. The mood and character reactions felt scattered and unpredictable.

There’s plenty of promise. Teddy as a free spirit who slips between disguises is fun. I can see how this popular book will likely be picked up and translated to TV - good outfits, real locations, strong female friendship vibes. But as a stand-alone text, there are too many gaps. Where are the police? What is their boss Choker actually up to? And why isn’t Jun more curious?

I didn’t hate it, and I think it’s unfair for me to judge the book because of what I expected from recommendations. I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next in the series - I just hope it confidently sets itself in a real Victoria.

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

I often crave thrillers to change up the genres and this was a nice little rollercoaster of a journey. I love a good female lead Teddy and Alice were a force to be reckoned with.

Unbury the Dead is a darkly funny, fast paced crime drama that cuts through privilege, power, and the secrets we try to bury. If you love a good Australian Mystery/Thriller this one’s1 for you!

The story follows best mates and hired hands Teddy and Alice, who make a living cleaning up other people’s messes, no questions asked. Their moral compass might not always point due north, but when things go sideways, they’re the ones you call to set it right. Teddy is deep in the suburbs chasing down leads on a missing teenager, occasionally joined by her oddball sidekick Art. Meanwhile, Alice has been given a strange and delicate task, discreetly drive one of Australia’s wealthiest men along Victoria’s picturesque east coast without anyone realising he’s died en route.

What starts as two separate gigs soon spirals into a shared conspiracy when a shocking twist brings their cases crashing together. Realising they’ve been played, Teddy and Alice turn their attention to the powerbrokers who hired them, flipping the game to dig out the truth. With sharp dialogue, high-stakes twists, and two gutsy heroines steering the action.

[Anabela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best friends, Alice and Teddy are “fixers”, hired for random jobs that require them to have a fluid moral compass. They each get their assignment, Teddy looking for a missing teenager; and Alice driving one of Australia’s wealthiest man to his final resting place. Their assignments are completely separate from each other, until they’re not.

Short chapters, intriguing premise, lots of twists and surprises. The pace was great and I found myself hooked and
turning the pages as quickly as I could for the first half of the book. For me the best twist was on page 156, at the point
where Alice’s assignment and Teddy’s assignment become one and the same.

The second half of the book however didn’t deliver in the same manner for me. Although I was still interested in finding out what was happening, I found that there were too many side characters to keep track of, and their connection sometimes difficult to follow. I thought the plot became too complex and the outcome a bit forced.

I did enjoy the humorous banter weaved in the dialogue, and I thought the two main characters were badass females
which I always enjoy. I’ve seen some great reviews around so go give this one a read.

Thank you to @affirmpress for sending me this book.

[Davena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unbury the Dead by Fiona Hardy.

Unbury the Dead ticks all the boxes for things I like in a book; you'll find it in the crime fiction section; it's set in Australia (specifically in and around Melbourne), and the 'good guys' are feisty female besties who'll literally help bury the bodies. I was surprised to read that this is Fiona Hardy's adult crime fiction debut; two of her earlier young adult books have won awards.

Alice and Teddy are best friends who work together as 'cleaners' in the mob sense of the word. If you have a problem, they'll be sent to help fix it. Technically, they are both on holiday when they are both called in to work; Alices' mission is to transport the body of one of Australia's wealthiest men to where he is to be buried without being noticed. And Teddy is required to help find a missing teenager.

This is a fast-paced Australian crime noir; it's funny, intelligent, and charming. Unbury the Dead would definitely get a second date if it took me out to dinner. Speaking of second dates, I hope this is the start of a series because Alice and Teddy are the heroes we need. I'm adding anything Fiona Hardy writes next to my TBR pile, even if it's her to-do list.

Body count: 3.

Big Thumbs up.

[Michelle Hickey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This book is unlike anything I've read before. Based on 2 best friends who, on the surface are private detectives, but are really "fixers" with a violent streak. It is unusual to see fixers as women, especially one who goes home to a preschooler. The book has elements of a mystery and is part thriller but is also a great book about friendship. The two main characters are immensely likeable and I enjoyed reading this with its setting in Victoria, but I found it hard to fathom how little these fixers were getting paid. It's set in a post-covid world yet they are only earning a pittance for the work they do in the criminal underworld. $3k for a top secret job for several days work seems really poor pay. Even the payments by the billionaire at the end are pretty low in the scheme of things. Tens of thousands of dollars 30 years ago might have been a lot, but these days, it's not even a deposit on a home. Getting stuck on this line of thinking really affected the credibility of the story for me, hence the 3.5 stars but I think it is one that I might re-read again and I think it's likely to stay in my mind long after I read it.

[Don Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

A different sort of Australian thriller, to be sure. It concerns two females who work in the underground economy doing detective-type work in the space between legality and illegality. Alice is hired to transport a dead body around Victoria. Teddy, her friend, is hired to find a missing young man. All sorts of twists arise and these two are physically adept and sufficiently ruthless to find out the truth - even with the body count rising.
Written by a young female Aussie, it has all the style of urban youth, tempered by the idea that really, these two are the good guys. There is a lot of food involved. - intentional? It seems like these two relatively poor women eat out a lot. The style of writing can grate at times, but, as mentioned above, it gives a different perspective on modern life in urban Australia.

[Keely Jende · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ I loved that this book was set in Victoria, it’s alway nice being able to relate really well to the plot and you can truly be apart of the mystery unfolding! I enjoyed the friendship between the two main characters, Teddy & Alice, who are “private detectives” with a somewhat illegal nature trying to do their best to be good people. There is a lot of mystery and thrill as the tale unfolds to find out who is dead and how these people died, however I did feel at times, due to the introduction of multiple side characters, that it was hard to keep up the storyline. Although I got slightly confused & was slightly unhappy with the reasoning behind all the mystery (no spoilers!), I still thoroughly enjoyed the book!

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A debut crime mystery tale, Unbury The Dead (2025) by Fiona Hardy features besties Teddy and Alice and the dubious jobs they are employed to undertake. As Teddy and Art search for a missing teenager in Melbourne, Alice’s clandestine task is to drive a casket to the east coast of Victoria for burial. The two jobs become inextricably connected and the dynamic pair must solve the mystery to discover the real truth. A bright, fast paced Aussie Noir, with two irresistible protagonists makes for a charming humorous crime adventure, with a four and a half star read rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic read. Absolutely loved the two female protagonists and am really wanting
a follow up with more of their story. Being set in my hometown of Melbourne was a big drawcard for me and the evocative but realistic descriptions all of the places was a joy
to read. The storyline kept me hooked the whole way through and the characters were so fully formed I felt like they were people I really
knew. Highly recommend for anyone wanting a smart, funny book with characters that are morally grey but you are still wanting to come out on Top.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not usually confident a novel I buy in an airport bookshop will offer me much but this is one of the best australian crime novels I’ve read in forever. I loved the pairing of the friends, the depth of their regard for each other with all their foibles. It was refreshing to have a lead character with a partner and child who didn’t agonize over time away from their domestic relationship. Morally grey is always a more interesting read and this one reminded me of Garry Disher and Peter Temple in the best possible way.

[Jay Dwight · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Teddy and Alice are excellent lead characters, and two women you don't want to be offside with.

They take various jobs from their boss - "Choker" - and they start on different jobs. Teddy searching for a missing teenager, Alice transporting a coffin containing a wealthy man to his final resting place.
Under bizarre circumstances, they find these cases are linked; and this sets the off on a combined search for the who, what and why.
Plenty of black humour mixed in with the mystery made this an enjoyable read.

[Sandy Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A third of the way through I thought this adult crime debut featuring two female ‘fixers’ for a criminal businessman was headed for five stars. But I think the two quirky characters worked better when the action switched between the two initially separate tasks each was working on. When the two intertwined, the action somehow seemed a little less interesting and the reflective interactions between the two a bit overdone. But it’s still a genuine four stars for me. Would read another from this author.